Zip Code And County Pricing Variance
The same Plan G letter, same carrier, same birthday — priced 30–60% apart two counties over. Medigap is priced by ZIP and county, and the local spread is the easiest money shoppers leave on the table.
| Pricing Driver | Effect | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| County fee-for-service utilization | High-utilization counties price up | South Texas vs DFW suburbs |
| State rate filings | Carrier strength varies by state | Deep bench in FL metros |
| Urban vs rural | Rural counties typically +20–40% | Panhandle FL, border TX |
| Household discount availability | 2-policy households save 5–12% | Most national carriers |
How to exploit the variance
Quote by exact ZIP (not “state average”), require three carriers minimum, and check each quote’s household discount eligibility — the compounding math lives in the carrier files. Remember: pricing variance only matters within your state’s switching rules.
What does not vary
Benefits are federally standardized — a Plan G in rural Montana covers exactly what a Plan G in Miami covers (system states excepted: MA, WI, MN). Only the price and the rate-crease cadence differ.
FAQ
Why is my county so much more expensive?
Local utilization history and carrier filing strength; no two ZIPs share a rate table.
Do I get my county’s price if I move?
A permanent move re-prices the policy per the moving rules.
Related reading: All rate files · Moving rules · Carrier board